The Sabres return to KeyBank Center for an inter-conference clash with the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night, then host the Canucks for a Black Friday matinee. Buffalo enters this upcoming homestand with their third three-game winning streak, which is the most in the first two months of the season since the 09-10 Buffalo Sabres under Lindy Ruff.
We’ve seen this season for Buffalo win three, then fall back. It’s hard to believe that the Sabres haven’t won over three games in a row since the 22-23 season when Buffalo had a six-game winning streak. The upcoming homestand will be the last one of November before a crucial month of December awaits.
Sabres found new ways to win without Tage Thompson
On the West Coast, the Sabres battled for two one-goal wins in a 1-0 game against the Los Angeles Kings to open the trip and a few nights later a 3-2 comeback win against the Anaheim Ducks. In two of the three games out west, the Sabres had to come back and claw their way to victory. The most impressive win was against the Ducks where both Connor Clifton and Zach Benson both dropped the glove and later led to goals.
Buffalo won hockey games the old fashion way out using their bodies and great goaltending to generate chances on the other end. Alex Tuch’s ability to stay with the play and lead the first line too close out the final two games of the trip made the travel back home even more sweet. While Thompson has been out for longer than many expected him to be, Buffalo has picked up four wins in their last five, which included three one-goal wins. Lifting the Sabres to being 7-2-0 in their last nine.
For Wednesday game against the Wild, Buffalo will need to find that same energy as the newly-formed Wild come to town. The Wild come in second in the Central. They’ve also blocked 311 shots this season ranking 13th in the NHL.
Goaltending and defense coming into form
Goaltending has also been the strongest part of the Sabres from goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen who has won his last five games, excluding the 40 minutes he played against the Montreal Canadiens before being pulled. UPL, over the last six games, has a .951 save percentage, helping the Sabres sweep the west.
UPL finished the week 10th goals saved above expected, and 15th in that same category in team goaltending. The Sabres also have found themselves a great mix of two-way defensemen and defensive defenseman, as they in their last nine games have killed 31-34 penalties, which is fourth in the NHL in that span. Owen Power and Bowen Byram rank second and third in the NHL in even strength points this season. Both combining for 28 out the 53 points by Sabres defenseman this season.
A homestand for the ages
While the upcoming homestand is against two teams from the Western Conference and might affect potential tie breakers in the East, it’s still pivotal for the Sabres to continue winning as noted by a Sportsnet study 77% of team in playoff position at Thanksgiving make the playoffs.
Wednesday night is a matchup between two teams that are heading in the right direction this season. Around this time last season, Minnesota was 5-10-4 a full season later sit second in the Central. Buffalo, Minnesota, and Vancouver rank top 15 in goals per game this season. Buffalo and Minnesota, after one week, rank top 10 in goal differential above expected, Buffalo sixth from the previous week. The Sabres will need to score against one of the hottest goalies this season Filip Gustavsson who has helped the Wild to the second-lowest goals allowed per game in the NHL.
For Buffalo, finishing their scoring chances into goals will be a must on Wednesday, as the Sabres have found their finishing touch last week with a plus-9.7 in goals above expected ranking seventh. It’s crucial for the Sabres to put away their inconsistencies in goal scoring and style of play as expanding the three game win streak to five is a must for the Sabres before heading on the road to the Islanders Saturday night.